"The Nineteenth century saw a great Springtime of Nations as the revolutions of 1848 saw new countries created the length and breadth of Europe. In our world today we are now seeing our own Spring Awakening with people and cultures that have long been dormant and subdued asserting their right to exist, their right to dream." Adam Price MP

He said he had agreed to abstain on the key vote because he was "not prepared to split the party".

Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Labour would bring dozens of amendments to the legislation during its continued parliamentary journey.

He also said that with Holyrood getting more powers over welfare next year, the SNP-led Scottish government should say how it intends to use them.

Ian Murray said Labour would challenge the bill in its later stages

The Labour MP for Edinburgh South said: "What we need to be doing is working together to fight in committee on the parts of the bill that we disagree with. That is fundamentally about fairness and the impact on the sick and disabled.

Ms Bardell, the SNP's spokeswoman on fair work and employment, said: "Labour had the perfect opportunity to join the SNP in a progressive coalition to oppose the Tories - but with some honourable exceptions they sat on their hands.

"Labour have completely abandoned any pretence of being a party of social justice and progress - just as they did when they so shamefully voted to support George Osborne's £30bn more austerity cuts."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "sadly not" surprised by the party's decision to abstain.

The SNP leader added: "Labour seem to have lost any sense of purpose or any sense of direction."

"It really does beg a fundamental question, if Labour is not about opposing a Tory government that is waging an ideological assault not on skivers who don't want to work, but on people who are working hard on low incomes, if Labour is not about opposing that, what is Labour for?

"Last night just proves that Labour has lost any sense of purpose and it will be the SNP who increasingly will form the real opposition in the House of Commons."